Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Setter Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
- Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier: Overview
- Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier
- Lifespan of Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier
- Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Skye Terrier
- Price of Irish Setter versus Price of Skye Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Irish Setter versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
- The Popularity of Irish Setter versus Popularity of Skye Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier
- Do Irish Setters shed more than Skye Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier?
- Does the Irish Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
- Do Irish Setters Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
- Can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Setter vs. Skye Terrier
- Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier?
- Are Irish Setters good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Setters and Skye Terriers?
- Is the Irish Setter Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Setter Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Irish Setter and for the Skye Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier.
Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Setter is a large-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Skye Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Setter to the Skye Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier
| Factor | Irish Setter | Skye Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 70 pounds | 25 to 40 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1680 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $2200 | $2000 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 90.9 percent | 37.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 74 | 176 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 35 | 55 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Setter in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Skye Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Irish Setter is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Skye Terrier is a better pet than the Irish Setter. So, you should get the Skye Terrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier
Below is a list of where the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier
The Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier.
Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.
On the other hand, Skye Terriers weigh 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Skye Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier
The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Skye Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Skye Terriers is 13.0 years.
Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Skye Terrier
The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Skye Terrier is 37.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 37.5 percent, the Skye Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 154 Irish Setters and 8 Skye Terriers.
Price of Irish Setter versus Price of Skye Terrier
The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of a Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Skye Terrier puppy is $2000. The price of the Skye Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $2000. However, the price of the Skye Terrier can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Skye Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Skye Terrier is more expensive than the Irish Setter.
| Irish Setter | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1680 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $2200 | $2000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Setter and Skye Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Setter puppies or how many Skye Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Skye Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Setter puppy or the Skye Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Irish Setter versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
| Irish Setter | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 35 out of 130 dog breeds | 55 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Skye Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 55 out of 130 dog breeds. The Skye Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Skye Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Irish Setter is more intelligent than the Skye Terrier.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Irish Setter versus Popularity of Skye Terrier
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Setter
Popularity of Skye Terrier
| Year | Irish Setter Popularity Rank | Skye Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 72 | 161 |
| 2014 | 73 | 177 |
| 2015 | 72 | 175 |
| 2016 | 76 | 178 |
| 2017 | 72 | 172 |
| 2018 | 77 | 178 |
| 2019 | 79 | 187 |
| 2020 | 75 | 183 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Setters shed more than Skye Terriers?
Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Skye Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Irish Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Skye Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Irish Setters Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Skye Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Setter vs. Skye Terrier
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Skye Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Irish Setters good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Skye Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Setters and Skye Terriers?
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Setter Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Irish Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Setter or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Irish Setter:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Skye Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Skye Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Setter and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Setter and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:
Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Setter versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Irish Setter versus Puggle Irish Setter versus Shichon Irish Setter versus Whippet Irish Setter versus Bich Poo Irish Setter versus Bordoodle Irish Setter versus Weimaraner Irish Setter versus Rottweiler Irish Setter versus Boerboel Irish Setter versus Maltipoo Irish Setter versus American Foxhound Irish Setter versus Mudi Irish Setter versus Norwich Terrier Irish Setter versus Leonberger Irish Setter versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Irish Setter versus English Toy Spaniel Irish Setter versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Irish Setter versus Boykin Spaniel Irish Setter versus Chi-Poo Irish Setter versus Kuvasz Irish Setter versus Briard Irish Setter versus Bedlington Terrier Irish Setter versus Scottish Terrier Irish Setter versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Setter versus Basset Hound
Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Skye Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle Skye Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier Skye Terrier versus Whoodle Skye Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Skye Terrier versus King Shepherd Skye Terrier versus Goldendoodle Skye Terrier versus Labradoodle Skye Terrier versus Scottish Terrier Skye Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog Skye Terrier versus Irish Setter Skye Terrier versus Affenhuahua Skye Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Skye Terrier versus Silky Terrier Skye Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier Skye Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Skye Terrier versus American Foxhound Skye Terrier versus Boxer Skye Terrier versus Mal Shi Skye Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff Skye Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Skye Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro Skye Terrier versus French Bulldog Skye Terrier versus Welsh Terrier Skye Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Skye Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: Irish Setter versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Irish Setter and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.